There are 31964 comments on the
Dayton Daily News
story from Feb 5, 2008, titled Our recommendation: Springboro voters should say 'yes' the first time to school levies.
In it, Dayton Daily News reports that:

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Thanks for bringing that great news article to the attention of bloggers on this discussion -- Meant to copy and paste web address on this blog the first time I read it; Just wanted to shout out applause! applause! for our good neighbor, Dr. Kelly Kohls, who works so tirelessly on behalf of our individual freedom to question and change the established way of doing things! We Love Kelly!

"Freedom is the right to question and change the established way of doing things. It is the continuous revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions." -Ronald Reagan

Not exactly AP or Reuters reporting going on here.Plunderbund - Merriam-Webster Onlinewww.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunderbun...plunderbund. noun. Definition of PLUNDERBUND.: a league of commercial, political, or financial interests that exploits the public.A rather apt description of a politically motivated group and the one sided hit pieces they like to pass off as "news".What the Superintendent did in Franklin was against the law. You can tell that by his actions after he was contacted by the prosecutors office, rather than face charges, he agreed to reimburse the district for the cost of his folly.Should Ms Kohls have looked the other way? Would that have been a preferable course of action?Franklin's Superintendent is upset because they are getting no more money than they get today in Mr. Kasichs new funding plan. The Franklin Superintendent never complained when he was getting more money per student than Springboro, that situation was fine as far as he was concerned. Mr. Kasich's plan to level the playing field for everyone meant that districts like Springboro would no longer beforced to subsidize other school districts throughout the state.Under the new program every district gets basically the same amount per student. In the past some so called "wealthier" districts received a fraction of what they sent to the state in property taxes and were expected to make up the difference by raising taxes on its residents. In effect the people of Springboro were funding not just our district but others as well, because everybody knows that everyone is Springboro is rich, so they can afford to pay extra.Poppycock.Dredging up the financial misfortunes of an individual that fought for two years before succumbing to the economic climate that has pervaded our land these past four years shows just how classless the writer of this piece is. How many of us have stared into the abyss and wondered if tomorrow we too might be sucked into the sinkhole? I know personally more people than I care to count that have been to the edge, some have fallen in and are clawing their way back out. Others have teetered near the precipice and the fear it engendered was not a pleasant experience. These have not been glowing economic times for many in the private sector and I decry those who make hay of other people's misfortune.Mrs. Kohls believes in fiscal responsibility, her own experience has been a stern taskmaster. Mrs. Kohls message of conservative financial management is one which we should heed when looking at the public financing of our institutions. The citizens of Springboro should be in no rush to join hundreds of other communities that have extended their finances well beyond their means. Cities from Detroit, MI to San Bernadino, CA are all feeling the crushing burden of crony capitalism and crony unionism.Transparency in government is a good thing for all citizens. Contracts let in the friendly confines of a dark back room among "friends" are ultimately paid for by the hardworking taxpayer who is forced to do with less while supporting more unnecessary expenditures made in their name.The time of the back room deals are done, let the public know what you are spending their money upon.

Just watching one of the biggest hypocrites in our community. Wish I would have run up close to 1 million in debt and walked away. Then have the gall to take it out on educators. It would take a beginning teacher 25 years to make that amount. Wonder how long it took her to spend that much money.

Petty attacks on Mrs. Kohls reveal the dearth of ideas that exist on the other side.

The opposition once again fails to take the opportunity to define their disagreement with Mrs. Kohls.

Rather, we are entertained with a personal smear campaign as opposed to actual ideas that may benefit the 2000 plus children mired in a system that is failing to provide them the education they were promised.

Taxpayers are hoodwinked into thinking everything is wonderful in Candyland by the careful use of semantics to paper over failure. Much like George Orwell's "1984", a classic tome against the socialist mentality, the public has been fed news the schools believe they want to hear. The truth is much more taxing, thus a new form of communication, DOUBLESPEAK emerges. The definition from the official party manual in the book reads as such:

" The keyword here is blackwhite. Like so many Newspeak words, this word has two mutually contradictory meanings. Applied to an opponent, it means the habit of impudently claiming that black is white, in contradiction of the plain facts. Applied to a Party member, it means a loyal willingness to say that black is white when Party discipline demands this. But it means also the ability to believe that black is white, and more, to know that black is white, and to forget that one has ever believed the contrary. This demands a continuous alteration of the past, made possible by the system of thought which really embraces all the rest, and which is known in Newspeak as doublethink. Doublethink is basically the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them. "

The message of fiscal conservatism or fiscal responsibility cannot be allowed to stand if those who put themselves before our children are to prevail.

The messenger of such tidings must be destroyed if the true edict of strength through wanton spending is to reign. How else can the public be expected to accept failure as success? Irresponsible spending as husbanding of resources for the greater good? Or the desire for more personal wealth for altruism?

2000 plus children are failing in this district year in and year out.

No amount of petty attacks on proponents of reform will change that salient point.

http://www.wmfd.com/local-news /single.asp?story=53425Thank you, Dr. Kohls, for a job well done.Because of your continuing good efforts to bring about much needed changes in our school district, Springboro is growing stronger as a great community in which to live, work, and go to school!

We Love Good Neighbors with great civic pride in our schools and community! Thank you, Kelly, for your continuing public service, and forgive us for boasting a bit, but we are just so Boro Proud of your leadership doing what's right for our school children and community! Absolutely Amazingly Awesome!

Finding ways to methodically advance student achievement should always be everyones goal. Implementing academic reforms will, for example, reduce the present need for so many of our students needing to take college remediation courses. This, of course, will immediately translate into money saved for parents whose students attend Ohios colleges. And, in order to meet this challenge of higher academic quality, the current school Board of Education and District are, or already have plans to, invest heavily in technology, professional development for teachers, new textbooks, as well as new computers for every teacher, plus much more.

All this being said, there is a lot of work yet to be done to assure you (parents) that we will strive to do more than meet the minimum state requirements. The current Board of Education is dedicated to being advocates for every student striving to push the bar higher than other districts.

Some say theres no need to change because our district achieved an excellent with Distinction rating for our most recent school year. But we live in a world that is dynamic, a world of ever-evolving expectations and realities that require our constant attention. What once was an acceptable level of achievement is now a relic of the past that will ill serve our children and our taxpayers in the future.

As parents, we all desire that our children be provided the best we can afford. We constantly challenge our children with the hope that doing so will help prepare them for the world and better lives than we ourselves enjoy. We are also highly cognizant of the importance of true learning and greatly value education and the promise of what it may bring.

Everyone in the school community has more in common than they have differences. Let us meld that commonality to push forth a better school system than we enjoy today. We owe it to our children. Let us come together to push for real achievement and higher standards that we currently demand.

I agree with Just Watching he makes a few good points. Why doesn't Signals tell us what he doesn't like about Kohl's speaking points? She seems to be getting lots of chances to talk around the state. It must sound good to somebody or they wouldn't invite her to talk.

<quoted text>I agree with Just Watching he makes a few good points. Why doesn't Signals tell us what he doesn't like about Kohl's speaking points? She seems to be getting lots of chances to talk around the state. It must sound good to somebody or they wouldn't invite her to talk.

Of course it sounds good to everyone - no one wants to pay more taxes - pretty simple to figure out.

The one thing no one is talking about is what is happening to our school district. Teachers are leaving and they are not hiring any replacements. The opportunities that once were great for students like the various electives, and the after school clubs such as Teen Mentoring are/might be going away with no hope for replacement. Students involved in these after school clubs have that much more to include on their college applications, does no one care about that? How about our HS students scheduling for next year - there were a lot of electives still on the list but if you do the math, there are not enough teachers to teach all of those clases - and from what Mr. Petrey said "the plan is to hire 4-5 new teachers but all of those new teachers will be for the lower grades - not the high school". What classes should the older students take?

I know the push is to send our students to college early so the state/district will pay - but what if your student is not ready emotionally for a college class or the college environment, what about the risks of driving on the highway, possibly during rush-hour, what about the added peer pressure of older college kids? There are a lot of advantages for sending students to college early but let's not forget the disadvantages. And as a side note, if the state is paying for the PSEO, isn't that similar to Welfare - how is that helping the state to be fiscally responsible? Or do you only care about fiscal responsibility when it affects your own wallet?

<quoted text>I agree with Just Watching he makes a few good points. Why doesn't Signals tell us what he doesn't like about Kohl's speaking points? She seems to be getting lots of chances to talk around the state. It must sound good to somebody or they wouldn't invite her to talk.

Sounds good to me...I agree with Kohl's speaking points; and question WHY signals and others like signals appear to be almost stalking Kohls,(in the news articles, blogs, and all public meetings) as Kohls goes about doing good, exercisng her Great American rights of free speech.

Why all this silly pettiness of signals (attacking character instead of issues) in attempts to demonize a good Springboro citizen by "tattling" on Kohls to Just Watching on this blog?

<quoted text>Of course it sounds good to everyone - no one wants to pay more taxes - pretty simple to figure out.The one thing no one is talking about is what is happening to our school district. Teachers are leaving and they are not hiring any replacements. The opportunities that once were great for students like the various electives, and the after school clubs such as Teen Mentoring are/might be going away with no hope for replacement. Students involved in these after school clubs have that much more to include on their college applications, does no one care about that? How about our HS students scheduling for next year - there were a lot of electives still on the list but if you do the math, there are not enough teachers to teach all of those clases - and from what Mr. Petrey said "the plan is to hire 4-5 new teachers but all of those new teachers will be for the lower grades - not the high school". What classes should the older students take?I know the push is to send our students to college early so the state/district will pay - but what if your student is not ready emotionally for a college class or the college environment, what about the risks of driving on the highway, possibly during rush-hour, what about the added peer pressure of older college kids? There are a lot of advantages for sending students to college early but let's not forget the disadvantages. And as a side note, if the state is paying for the PSEO, isn't that similar to Welfare - how is that helping the state to be fiscally responsible? Or do you only care about fiscal responsibility when it affects your own wallet?

The mission of our schools is not to help the state be fiscally responsible; but to produce good citizens and life long learners who must never forget it is individual responsibility (not collective bargaining) that strengthens our country by empasizing personal freedom, believing in liberty and responsibility, and letting people prosper, grow, and follow their individual dreams.

"Wouldn't it be better for the human spirit and for the soul of this nation to encourage people to accept more responsibility to care for each other, rather than leaving those tasks to paid bureaucrats." - Ronald Reagan

<quoted text>Of course it sounds good to everyone - no one wants to pay more taxes - pretty simple to figure out.The one thing no one is talking about is what is happening to our school district. Teachers are leaving and they are not hiring any replacements. The opportunities that once were great for students like the various electives, and the after school clubs such as Teen Mentoring are/might be going away with no hope for replacement. Students involved in these after school clubs have that much more to include on their college applications, does no one care about that? How about our HS students scheduling for next year - there were a lot of electives still on the list but if you do the math, there are not enough teachers to teach all of those clases - and from what Mr. Petrey said "the plan is to hire 4-5 new teachers but all of those new teachers will be for the lower grades - not the high school". What classes should the older students take?I know the push is to send our students to college early so the state/district will pay - but what if your student is not ready emotionally for a college class or the college environment, what about the risks of driving on the highway, possibly during rush-hour, what about the added peer pressure of older college kids? There are a lot of advantages for sending students to college early but let's not forget the disadvantages. And as a side note, if the state is paying for the PSEO, isn't that similar to Welfare - how is that helping the state to be fiscally responsible? Or do you only care about fiscal responsibility when it affects your own wallet?

PSEO is paid for by the school district which get its funds from the state. The money follows the child, which is why Mr. Malone sells the high school as the first and foremost option available for higher education. Ultimately it is your tax dollars funding all of the programs coming out of the same defined pot of cash.

PSEO is the perfect vehicle to edge your child into the college environment while still under your tutelage and watchful eye. Most classes are during the day during the off hours, so traffic is not generally the disadvantage you portray. Remember we are driving between Springboro and Miami-Middletown or Wright State. If you feel real adventurous send your child to Sinclair, but even there, rush hour traffic is not like Chicago or Los Angeles. In regards to the peer pressure if you feel you have not done a good enough job teaching your children how to know the difference between right and wrong, then I would worry as well. Regardless of all of the above, the reality is your child will be leaving the nest within the next year or so, at that point you will have a good deal less influence.Try taking advantage of that positive influence you have now and begin easing your child forward.

As Mr. Malone mentioned at the board meeting a few weeks ago, the offer many electives and then look at filling whichever classes have the most interest. Some classes have only six kids sign up, those are cancelled because they are not cost effective to teach. A quick glance through the program of studies reveals a plethora of actual academic classes and fun classes, the children have no lack of choice. They are free to begin garnering actual college credits or they are free to while away their senior year studying the history of sports in America.. To say we lack electives is simply a false statement.

Given the state of our Ohio Achievement Assessment results, I would highly recommend more concentration on the basics of math and reading. The state of our math scores is absolutely pathetic. We begin third grade with less than 20% obtaining a D or F, by the time they have completed 8th grade that number has ballooned to nearly 80% scoring 75% or less on the test.You did not read that wrong, 4 out of 5 eighth graders scores 75% and below on the Ohio Achievement Assessment in math.

<quoted text>The mission of our schools is not to help the state be fiscally responsible; but to produce good citizens and life long learnerswho must never forget it is individual responsibility (not collective bargaining) that strengthens our country by empasizing personal freedom, believing in liberty and responsibility, and letting people prosper, grow, and follow their individual dreams."Wouldn't it be better for the human spirit and for the soul of this nation to encourage people to accept more responsibility to care for each other, rather than leaving those tasks to paid bureaucrats." - Ronald Reagan

Sounds like the problem is in the Junior High. How come the only attacks seem to be on the high school? I've seen the district report card and the Junior High is like an anchor the high school pretty much carries the rest of the district. I read about Mr. Malone and what he's not doing, do not really see anything negative. How about Ms. Cook? The Junior High is a mess under her "lack" of leadership. Look at the report card the JH has the lowest scores. Why is she not under constant attack? Is it because she is one of the BOE lapdogs? Looks like many of the posters out here thrive on what the high school is not doing. If you really want to see it go down hill maybe we should promote Ms. Cook to replace Mr. Malone.

<quoted text>PSEO is paid for by the school district which get its funds from the state. The money follows the child, which is why Mr. Malone sells the high school as the first and foremost option available for higher education. Ultimately it is your tax dollars funding all of the programs coming out of the same defined pot of cash.PSEO is the perfect vehicle to edge your child into the college environment while still under your tutelage and watchful eye. Most classes are during the day during the off hours, so traffic is not generally the disadvantage you portray. Remember we are driving between Springboro and Miami-Middletown or Wright State. If you feel real adventurous send your child to Sinclair, but even there, rush hour traffic is not like Chicago or Los Angeles. In regards to the peer pressure if you feel you have not done a good enough job teaching your children how to know the difference between right and wrong, then I would worry as well. Regardless of all of the above, the reality is your child will be leaving the nest within the next year or so, at that point you will have a good deal less influence.Try taking advantage of that positive influence you have now and begin easing your child forward.As Mr. Malone mentioned at the board meeting a few weeks ago, the offer many electives and then look at filling whichever classes have the most interest. Some classes have only six kids sign up, those are cancelled because they are not cost effective to teach. A quick glance through the program of studies reveals a plethora of actual academic classes and fun classes, the children have no lack of choice. They are free to begin garnering actual college credits or they are free to while away their senior year studying the history of sports in America.. To say we lack electives is simply a false statement.Given the state of our Ohio Achievement Assessment results, I would highly recommend more concentration on the basics of math and reading. The state of our math scores is absolutely pathetic. We begin third grade with less than 20% obtaining a D or F, by the time they have completed 8th grade that number has ballooned to nearly 80% scoring 75% or less on the test.You did not read that wrong, 4 out of 5 eighth graders scores 75% and below on the Ohio Achievement Assessment in math.

Sounds like the problem is in the Junior High. How come the only attacks seem to be on the high school? I've seen the district report card and the Junior High is like an anchor the high school pretty much carries the rest of the district. I read about Mr. Malone and what he's not doing, do not really see anything negative. How about Ms. Cook? The Junior High is a mess under her "lack" of leadership. Look at the report card the JH has the lowest scores. Why is she not under constant attack? Is it because she is one of the BOE lapdogs? Looks like many of the posters out here thrive on what the high school is not doing. If you really want to see it go down hill maybe we should promote Ms. Cook to replace Mr. Malone.

OHIO GRADUATION TEST WEEK INFORMATION 1. THE OHIO GRADUATION TESTS WILL BE GIVEN NEXT WEEK TO ALL 10TH GRADERS AND THOSE UPPERCLASSMEN WHO HAVE YET TO PASS ALL 5 PARTS..... 2. ALL 9TH GRADERS WILL TAKE THE OHIO GRADUATION PRACTICE TESTS DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD AS THE 10TH GRADERS ARE TAKING THE OGTS.... 3. THE TESTING SESSION IS 7:30AM--9:20AM....IF STUDENTS NEED MORE TIME, THEY WILL HAVE THE EXTRA TIME IN THE LIBRARY.....A MAXIMUM OF 2.5 HOURS IS PERMITTED ..... 4. UPPER CLASSMEN MUST REPORT TO SCHOOL BY 9:30AM......THEY SHOULD REPORT TO THE COMMONS UPON ARRIVAL.... 5. THE BELL SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS: 7:15-STUDENTS MAY ENTER THE BUILDING AND REPORT TO THEIR ASSIGNED ROOMS 7:30-9:20 TESTING SESSION 9:30-TARDY BELL RINGS AND 1ST PERIOD STARTS 9:30-10:08 PERIOD 1 10:13-10:46 PERIOD 2 10:51-11:24 PERIOD 3 11:29-11:54 PERIOD 4 11:59-12:02 PERIOD 5 12:07-12:32 PERIOD 6 12:37-12:40 PERIOD 7 12:45-1:10 PERIOD 8 1:15-1:48 PERIOD 9 1:53-2:25 PERIOD 10 6. 10TH GRADERS WILL BE GIVEN DONUTS, JUICE, AND/OR MILK IN THE COMMONS BEFORE THE TESTING SESSION STARTS.....IT IS ONE WAY WE WISH THEM GOOD LUCK ON THEIR TESTS!! PLEASE CONTACT THE HIGH SCHOOL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.... RON MALONE

The high school takes but one test, no other achievement tests of any kind during four years of high school. The OGT, as you can see, will never be confused with an A/P exam. This test measures what a student has learned or not learned in grades 1-9. There are no mandatory tests at this time for Juniors or Seniors. So it is just about impossible to tell how good or bad things are going at the high school. My guess is the high school will be a reflection of the junior high and its curriculum.

OHIO GRADUATION TEST WEEK INFORMATION 1. THE OHIO GRADUATION TESTS WILL BE GIVEN NEXT WEEK TO ALL 10TH GRADERS AND THOSE UPPERCLASSMEN WHO HAVE YET TO PASS ALL 5 PARTS..... 2. ALL 9TH GRADERS WILL TAKE THE OHIO GRADUATION PRACTICE TESTS DURING THE SAME TIME PERIOD AS THE 10TH GRADERS ARE TAKING THE OGTS.... 3. THE TESTING SESSION IS 7:30AM--9:20AM....IF STUDENTS NEED MORE TIME, THEY WILL HAVE THE EXTRA TIME IN THE LIBRARY.....A MAXIMUM OF 2.5 HOURS IS PERMITTED ..... 4. UPPER CLASSMEN MUST REPORT TO SCHOOL BY 9:30AM......THEY SHOULD REPORT TO THE COMMONS UPON ARRIVAL.... 5. THE BELL SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS: 7:15-STUDENTS MAY ENTER THE BUILDING AND REPORT TO THEIR ASSIGNED ROOMS 7:30-9:20 TESTING SESSION 9:30-TARDY BELL RINGS AND 1ST PERIOD STARTS 9:30-10:08 PERIOD 1 10:13-10:46 PERIOD 2 10:51-11:24 PERIOD 3 11:29-11:54 PERIOD 4 11:59-12:02 PERIOD 5 12:07-12:32 PERIOD 6 12:37-12:40 PERIOD 7 12:45-1:10 PERIOD 8 1:15-1:48 PERIOD 9 1:53-2:25 PERIOD 10 6. 10TH GRADERS WILL BE GIVEN DONUTS, JUICE, AND/OR MILK IN THE COMMONS BEFORE THE TESTING SESSION STARTS.....IT IS ONE WAY WE WISH THEM GOOD LUCK ON THEIR TESTS!! PLEASE CONTACT THE HIGH SCHOOL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.... RON MALONEThe high school takes but one test, no other achievement tests of any kind during four years of high school. The OGT, as you can see, will never be confused with an A/P exam. This test measures what a student has learned or not learned in grades 1-9. There are no mandatory tests at this time for Juniors or Seniors. So it is just about impossible to tell how good or bad things are going at the high school. My guess is the high school will be a reflection of the junior high and its curriculum.

You need to do your research on the OGT! I suggest you go to the ODE website and download some of the sample test. I just looked at the Science, Social Studies, and Math. None of the information on the OGT given in the tenth grade year comes from JH curriculum. The OAA is for grades 3-8. You must be just watching because you're not doing your homework. If your a parent of a JH student why don't you give them a practice OGT and let us all know how they do. Better yet why don't you take the practice test and post your scores. I've provided the site for you don't be afraid.

A student does not magically appear in the second semester of their 10 grade year educated. The education they have in the 10th grade is the result of the cumulative education they received in the preceding 9 years. It was built layer upon layer in each grade to arrive at the point where the student is taking the OGT.

A student who has learned just 50% of each year's math in elementary and junior high will struggle.

I have taken the tests and am quite surprised by how much I have retained over the years.

I encourage everyone to visit the site and look at the practice tests available for each grade plus the OGT.

These tests were designed to allow the greatest number of students to pass, as such, the OGT is aimed primarily at the lowest common denominator as opposed to the child hoping to get into Harvard.

<quoted text>Of course it sounds good to everyone - no one wants to pay more taxes - pretty simple to figure out.The one thing no one is talking about is what is happening to our school district. Teachers are leaving and they are not hiring any replacements. The opportunities that once were great for students like the various electives, and the after school clubs such as Teen Mentoring are/might be going away with no hope for replacement. Students involved in these after school clubs have that much more to include on their college applications, does no one care about that? How about our HS students scheduling for next year - there were a lot of electives still on the list but if you do the math, there are not enough teachers to teach all of those clases - and from what Mr. Petrey said "the plan is to hire 4-5 new teachers but all of those new teachers will be for the lower grades - not the high school". What classes should the older students take?I know the push is to send our students to college early so the state/district will pay - but what if your student is not ready emotionally for a college class or the college environment, what about the risks of driving on the highway, possibly during rush-hour, what about the added peer pressure of older college kids? There are a lot of advantages for sending students to college early but let's not forget the disadvantages. And as a side note, if the state is paying for the PSEO, isn't that similar to Welfare - how is that helping the state to be fiscally responsible? Or do you only care about fiscal responsibility when it affects your own wallet?

Spot on! Change for the better can be good, however Mrs. Kohls is leading the way of tearing our district apart. We will be the ones left holding the bag for our community long after she's gone on pursuing her political aspirations.I just hope and pray there is something left when my own kids start their families and might want to move back to where they grew up. At this rate it will be disasterous!

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